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Overhead shot of kidney-shaped pool with red lounge chairs and striped umbrellas
Austin Motel pool
Courtesy of Austin Motel

10 best Austin hotel pools for taking an upscale plunge

Slip into some swank, perhaps with adult beverages

By Cindy Widner Updated
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Austin Motel pool
| Courtesy of Austin Motel
By Cindy Widner Updated

If you’re sticking out all or most of your summer in Austin, you’ve probably availed yourself of the city’s many publicly available swimming spots—public pools, splash pads, natural watering holes, or the occasional water park—to seek relief from the unmentionably high temperatures or just for fun and sport.

That’s all fine, but sometimes the summer swimmer wants a slightly swankier experience (and, let’s face it, a place where one can enjoy the water and—responsibly—drink alcohol) but can’t avail themselves of private club pools and the like.

Fortunately, several Austin hotels offer day passes for their swanky pools so non-guests can enjoy a fancy plunge along with, in most cases, a nearby bar. The passes vary in price (starting at free) and are good for limited hours—but all offer some availability to the public. We’ve cataloged some of the best here, noting times and costs. If we missed your favorite (or a secret spot that you’re willing to open up about) or need to update information, let us know in the comments.

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Hotel Ella

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The historic boutique hotel near downtown and the UT campus offers $25 day passes by reservation (up to one week in advance: email concierge@hotelella.com). Passes can be used Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ). Pass purchase includes courtyard access, a towel, and valet parking.

1900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 495-1800
(512) 495-1800

A post shared by shelby sorrel (@shelbysorrel) on

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The Westin Austin Downtown Azul Rooftop Pool

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The Westin offers free rooftop pool and deck access to the public daily, 4pm-midnight. The rooftop bar is Monday-Wednesday, noon-11 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-midnight; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Caveats: “Cover charge may apply for the public for special events. Management may change hours and pricing due to business needs, weather, capacity, and special events.” So just call first, easy peasy.

310 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 391-2333
(512) 391-2333

W Austin Wet Deck

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A fave downtown hotel where locals like to hang out, the W has a fourth-floor deck with private cabanas, designer chaise lounges, tanning shelves, two outdoor showers ,and a fireplace. The hotel offers offers complimentary access to its deck and happy hours Monday-Friday after 5 p.m. Non-guests can purchase $10 day passes for access Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Private cabanas or kasbahs are also rented to the public for a fee and a minimal spend, Caveats: “Not valid on holiday weekends. Some restrictions and black-out dates apply. No refunds on unused tickets. Cabanas & kasbahs are reserved for hotel guests on Saturdays only.”

200 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 542-3600
(512) 542-3600

A post shared by W Austin (@whotelatx) on

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East Austin Hotel

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The Eastside’s newest boutique-lodging concept, East Austin Hotel offers day passes for $25/$15 kids Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. On Sundays through September 1, the hotel hosts its Summer Swell parties, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; passes (adults only) are $30 and include pool access.

1108 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(737) 205-8888
(737) 205-8888

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JW Marriott Austin

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A dip in downtown’s JW Marriott pool sounds fantastic if you can afford it. You’ll need to rent (or reserve) a cabana, which offer seating for 8-10, your own 55-inch flat-screen TV, a dedicated sound system, cabana-side food and beverage service, and more. The hotel hasn’t yet published its 2019 prices, but in 2018, cabana rental required $250 to $500 food and beverage minimums depending on the day and holiday rental fees but no minimums.

110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-4777
(512) 474-4777

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The Line Austin

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The Line offers $25 weekday pool passes for its infinity pool overlooking the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, Town Lake, and the Austin skyline. Passes can be purchased starting at 11 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays at hotel/pool bar, Dean’s One Trick Pony and include parking validation. Caveat: Availability is limited. In addition, BossBabes ATX will host a monthly residency highlighting the work of 10 to 15 Texas-based women and non-binary visual and musical artists on the pool deck every first Thursday through September, 8 p.m.-11 p.m.

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-9611
(512) 478-9611
White infinity pool with white hotel in background, sun umbrellas Chase Daniel courtesy of the Line Austin

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Fairmont Austin

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The Fairmont has pass options for its rooftop pool, starting at $35, as well as spa passes (adults only)

starting at $40. Pool passes include access to the pool and whirlpool, poolside food and drink service, and complimentary wifi. Passes for both start at $65. Pool hours are 6 a.m.-10 p,m (food service is 11 a.m.-5 p.m.), and spa hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 600-2000
(512) 600-2000

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Four Seasons Hotel Austin

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Four Seasons’ pool passes are available weekdays for $60 ($15 if you also books a spa service) and include access to the hotel’s eucalyptus steam room.

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-4500
(512) 478-4500

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Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt

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Like many luxury spots, the Van Zandt offers pool day passes, every day from 11 a.m. to sundown, through Resort Pass, starting at $35/$15 for children. Passes offer access to the pool and deck as well as to food and drink service from Geraldine’s, the hotel’s popular bar and restaurant. There are also cabanas of varying sizes available to rent, with prices depending on size and other factors. In addition to the Resort Pass route, the hotel has a new HVZ Afterhours: Stargaze Swim. Starting this month (July 29) and on the last Mondays of August and September, the hotel will open the pool deck to the neighborhood at sundown until the pool closes for “cosmic cocktails, stellar snacks (moon pies!), and a late night swim.”

605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 542-5300
(512) 542-5300

Austin Motel Night Swimming

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The South Congress little “motor hotel” that could has undergone numerous transformations since it opened in 1938, and it’s currently a bright, fun, and popular spot that still makes terrific use of its throwback kidney-shaped pool. That includes offering $20 day passes (discounted on Sundays) available at the hotel front desk starting at 8 a.m. daily. You can also swim for free on at Full Moon Swims presented by Austin Motel and Joann’s Fine Foods, on the following days: May 18, June 17, July 16, August 15, September 14, and October 13.

1220 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-1157
(512) 441-1157

A post shared by Austin Motel (@austinmotel) on

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South Congress Hotel

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The stylish boutique hotel just up South Congress from the other stylish boutique hotels offers $30 day passes Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Pass purchase includes a pool and pool bar access, and pool towels. Reservations available up to one week in advance.

1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 920-6405
(512) 920-6405

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Hotel Ella

1900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705

The historic boutique hotel near downtown and the UT campus offers $25 day passes by reservation (up to one week in advance: email concierge@hotelella.com). Passes can be used Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ). Pass purchase includes courtyard access, a towel, and valet parking.

1900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 495-1800
(512) 495-1800

A post shared by shelby sorrel (@shelbysorrel) on

The Westin Austin Downtown Azul Rooftop Pool

310 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701

The Westin offers free rooftop pool and deck access to the public daily, 4pm-midnight. The rooftop bar is Monday-Wednesday, noon-11 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-midnight; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Caveats: “Cover charge may apply for the public for special events. Management may change hours and pricing due to business needs, weather, capacity, and special events.” So just call first, easy peasy.

310 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 391-2333
(512) 391-2333

W Austin Wet Deck

200 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701

A fave downtown hotel where locals like to hang out, the W has a fourth-floor deck with private cabanas, designer chaise lounges, tanning shelves, two outdoor showers ,and a fireplace. The hotel offers offers complimentary access to its deck and happy hours Monday-Friday after 5 p.m. Non-guests can purchase $10 day passes for access Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Private cabanas or kasbahs are also rented to the public for a fee and a minimal spend, Caveats: “Not valid on holiday weekends. Some restrictions and black-out dates apply. No refunds on unused tickets. Cabanas & kasbahs are reserved for hotel guests on Saturdays only.”

200 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 542-3600
(512) 542-3600

A post shared by W Austin (@whotelatx) on

East Austin Hotel

1108 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

The Eastside’s newest boutique-lodging concept, East Austin Hotel offers day passes for $25/$15 kids Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. On Sundays through September 1, the hotel hosts its Summer Swell parties, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; passes (adults only) are $30 and include pool access.

1108 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(737) 205-8888
(737) 205-8888

JW Marriott Austin

110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701

A dip in downtown’s JW Marriott pool sounds fantastic if you can afford it. You’ll need to rent (or reserve) a cabana, which offer seating for 8-10, your own 55-inch flat-screen TV, a dedicated sound system, cabana-side food and beverage service, and more. The hotel hasn’t yet published its 2019 prices, but in 2018, cabana rental required $250 to $500 food and beverage minimums depending on the day and holiday rental fees but no minimums.

110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-4777
(512) 474-4777

The Line Austin

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701

The Line offers $25 weekday pool passes for its infinity pool overlooking the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, Town Lake, and the Austin skyline. Passes can be purchased starting at 11 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays at hotel/pool bar, Dean’s One Trick Pony and include parking validation. Caveat: Availability is limited. In addition, BossBabes ATX will host a monthly residency highlighting the work of 10 to 15 Texas-based women and non-binary visual and musical artists on the pool deck every first Thursday through September, 8 p.m.-11 p.m.

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-9611
(512) 478-9611
White infinity pool with white hotel in background, sun umbrellas Chase Daniel courtesy of the Line Austin

Fairmont Austin

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

The Fairmont has pass options for its rooftop pool, starting at $35, as well as spa passes (adults only)

starting at $40. Pool passes include access to the pool and whirlpool, poolside food and drink service, and complimentary wifi. Passes for both start at $65. Pool hours are 6 a.m.-10 p,m (food service is 11 a.m.-5 p.m.), and spa hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 600-2000
(512) 600-2000

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

Four Seasons’ pool passes are available weekdays for $60 ($15 if you also books a spa service) and include access to the hotel’s eucalyptus steam room.

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-4500
(512) 478-4500

Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt

605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701

Like many luxury spots, the Van Zandt offers pool day passes, every day from 11 a.m. to sundown, through Resort Pass, starting at $35/$15 for children. Passes offer access to the pool and deck as well as to food and drink service from Geraldine’s, the hotel’s popular bar and restaurant. There are also cabanas of varying sizes available to rent, with prices depending on size and other factors. In addition to the Resort Pass route, the hotel has a new HVZ Afterhours: Stargaze Swim. Starting this month (July 29) and on the last Mondays of August and September, the hotel will open the pool deck to the neighborhood at sundown until the pool closes for “cosmic cocktails, stellar snacks (moon pies!), and a late night swim.”

605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 542-5300
(512) 542-5300

Austin Motel Night Swimming

1220 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

The South Congress little “motor hotel” that could has undergone numerous transformations since it opened in 1938, and it’s currently a bright, fun, and popular spot that still makes terrific use of its throwback kidney-shaped pool. That includes offering $20 day passes (discounted on Sundays) available at the hotel front desk starting at 8 a.m. daily. You can also swim for free on at Full Moon Swims presented by Austin Motel and Joann’s Fine Foods, on the following days: May 18, June 17, July 16, August 15, September 14, and October 13.

1220 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-1157
(512) 441-1157

A post shared by Austin Motel (@austinmotel) on

South Congress Hotel

1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

The stylish boutique hotel just up South Congress from the other stylish boutique hotels offers $30 day passes Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Pass purchase includes a pool and pool bar access, and pool towels. Reservations available up to one week in advance.

1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 920-6405
(512) 920-6405